Topical Encyclopedia
In the context of biblical literature, the term "dictate" refers to the act of speaking or commanding with authority, often implying a divine or authoritative source. The concept of dictation is significant in understanding how God's will and commandments are communicated to humanity, as well as how leaders and prophets convey divine messages.
Divine DictationThe Bible often portrays God as the ultimate authority whose words and commands are to be followed without question. This is evident in the way God communicates His laws and decrees to His people. For instance, in the giving of the Ten Commandments, God directly dictates His laws to Moses on Mount Sinai.
Exodus 31:18 states, "When He had finished speaking with him on Mount Sinai, He gave Moses the two tablets of the Testimony, tablets of stone inscribed by the finger of God." This passage underscores the direct and authoritative nature of God's communication.
Prophetic DictationProphets in the Bible often serve as conduits for God's messages, receiving divine dictation to deliver to the people. The prophet Jeremiah, for example, is instructed by God to write down His words.
Jeremiah 30:2 records, "Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel: 'Write in a book all the words that I have spoken to you.'" This highlights the role of prophets as scribes of divine revelation, ensuring that God's words are accurately conveyed and preserved.
Apostolic DictationIn the New Testament, the apostles also act under divine inspiration, often dictating letters and teachings to the early church. The Apostle Paul, in particular, is known for his epistles, which are considered authoritative teachings for Christian doctrine. In
1 Corinthians 14:37 , Paul asserts, "If anyone considers himself a prophet or spiritual person, let him acknowledge that what I am writing to you is the Lord’s command." This reflects the belief that apostolic writings are not merely human opinions but are divinely inspired and authoritative.
Human Authority and DictationWhile divine dictation is a central theme, the Bible also addresses the concept of human authority and the potential for misuse of dictatorial power. In
Matthew 20:25-26 , Jesus warns His disciples about the dangers of authoritarian leadership: "But Jesus called them aside and said, 'You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their superiors exercise authority over them. It shall not be this way among you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant.'" This teaching emphasizes servant leadership as opposed to oppressive dictation.
ConclusionThe concept of dictation in the Bible encompasses both divine and human authority, highlighting the importance of obedience to God's commands while cautioning against the misuse of power. Through divine dictation, God's will is made known to humanity, while prophetic and apostolic dictation ensures the transmission of His message across generations.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
v. t.) To tell or utter so that another may write down; to inspire; to compose; as, to dictate a letter to an amanuensis.
2. (v. t.) To say; to utter; to communicate authoritatively; to deliver (a command) to a subordinate; to declare with authority; to impose; as, to dictate the terms of a treaty; a general dictates orders to his troops.
3. (v. i.) To speak as a superior; to command; to impose conditions (on).
4. (v. i.) To compose literary works; to tell what shall be written or said by another.
5. (n.) A statement delivered with authority; an order; a command; an authoritative rule, principle, or maxim; a prescription; as, listen to the dictates of your conscience; the dictates of the gospel.
Greek
653. apostomatizo -- to catechize, ie to question... From apo and a (presumed) derivative of stoma; to speak off-hand (properly,
dictate),
ie To catechize (in an invidious manner) -- provoke to speak.
...Library
But Whether a Man is Going to Address the People or toDictate...
... Book 4 Chapter 63. But whether a man is going to address the people or
todictate what? 63. But whether a man is going to address...
Whether Religion is a virtue?
... Ethic. ii, 1, aptitude for virtue is in us by nature, wherefore things
pertaining to virtue belong to thedictate of natural reason....
The Person and Work of the Holy Spirit as Revealed in his Names.
... "The wind bloweth where it listeth" (John 3:8). You cannotdictate to the wind.... Just
so with the Holy Spirit"He is sovereign"we cannotdictate to Him....
Letter xxvi. (Circa AD 1127) to the Same
... it is more laborious; since when in each other's presence we may say with little
labour what we will, but when absent we require diligently todictate in turn...
Whether the Judicial Precepts were those which Directed Man in...
... from what we have stated above ([2132]Q[95], A[2] ;[2133] Q[99], A[4]), in every
law, some precepts derive their binding force from thedictate of reason itself...
Limiting God
... Shall mortal dare todictate to his Creator?... Oh heir of heaven, be ashamed and be
confounded, while I remind thee that thou hast dared todictate to God!...
The Wandering Bird
... We may therefore take this proverb, first, as thedictate of human wisdom gathered
by long experience; and then, next, as the testimony of divine wisdom...
Letter clxv. (AD 410. )
... wished to begin the volume of Ezekiel, and fulfil a promise frequently made to studious
readers; but at the time when I had just begun todictate the proposed...
Whether There is a Human Law?
... he calls human. I answer that, As stated above ([1968]Q[90], A[1], ad
2), a law is adictate of the practical reason. Now it is...
Whether Offering a Sacrifice to God is of the Law of Nature?
... Now just as in natural things the lower are naturally subject to the higher, so
too it is adictate of natural reason in accordance with man's natural...
Thesaurus
Dictate (2 Occurrences)... 1. (vt) To tell or utter so that another may write down; to inspire; to compose;
as, to
dictate a letter to an amanuensis.
...Dictate (2 Occurrences).
...Indite
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (vt) To compose; to write; to be author of;
todictate; to prompt. 2. (vt) To invite or ask. 3. (vt...
Prescribe (3 Occurrences)
... 1. (vt) To lay down authoritatively as a guide, direction, or rule of action; to
impose as a peremptory order; todictate; to appoint; to direct....
Foot (193 Occurrences)
... It is a commondictate of good manners to perform this duty to a visitor, either
personally or through a servant; at least water for washing has to be...
Dictated (4 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) ofDictate. Multi-Version Concordance
Dictated (4 Occurrences). Jeremiah 36:4 Then Jeremiah...
Dice-playing
Dice-playing. Diceplaying, Dice-playing.Dictate . Int. Standard Bible
Encyclopedia... See GAMES. Diceplaying, Dice-playing.Dictate . Reference Bible.
Prompt (2 Occurrences)
... See Prompt-note. 2. (vt) To assist or induce the action of; to move to action;
to instigate; to incite. 3. (vt) To suggest; todictate....
Pledge (55 Occurrences)
... The lender had no right of entry into the borrower's house to obtain the pledge
(Deuteronomy 24:10, 11), but it is not said that he could notdictate what he...
Saw (6047 Occurrences)
... 1. (v.) imp. of See. 2. (vt) Something said; speech; discourse. 3. (n.) A saying;
a proverb; a maxim. 4. (vt)Dictate; command; decree....
Sing (147 Occurrences)
... 1. (vi) To utter sounds with musical inflections or melodious modulations of voice,
as fancy maydictate, or according to the notes of a song or tune, or of a...
Resources
When the Bible is translated into English, how do the translators decide what punctuation to use? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the significance of Jesus eating with sinners? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does “as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” mean in Joshua 24:15? | GotQuestions.orgDictate: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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